Case for cardboard milk cartons and the like



Sept. l5, 1959 E. L. BLooMQulsT CASE FOR CARDBOARD MILK CARTONS AND THE LIKE Filed July 26, 1957 26 /Q H6. j'

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Unite Sttes Patent O CASE FOR CARDBOARD MILK CARTONS AND THE LIKE Egner L. Bloomq'uis't, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application July Z6,r 1957, Serial No; 674,328'

6 Claims. (Cl. 220-19) ThisV invention relates to a milkv carton case of the type used for carrying and protecting a number of cardboard milk cartons and the like, and more specifically relates to' a case'constructedl of wire which is to be stacked with a plurality of other cases of similar type so as to be used in handling lange quantities of milk cartons, as in a milk delivery'truck.

4 Althouglrrwire. eases have been known for sometime, the are stillmany disadvantages inl the known type' of cases. `Onve" such disadvantage is that many of such cases are dinicult it'o manufaeture because of the complexity of thewirevwork. Another' disadvantage' is that many wire cases faily to adequately protect the paper milk cartons stored" therein', which are easily damaged, particularly by objects whichr project in through the wire-work. More specically, the; milk cartons are' frequently damagedv at the lower corners of the cases because previous cases have not been ableV to provide support` for the cartons at` the extreme edge of the bottom of the case. Apparently this is true because Aof the' intricate Wire arrangement' at the corners of the ease, thus causing lack of room for supports at the extreme edges of the case bottom". l

n object of my invention is to provide a new and improved'wire caseA of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a novel wire case which may be quickly and simply manufactredby forming the case in several components and then assembling? the components in a remarkably simple, but stfrdy arrangement.

furth'er object of my invention is the provision of an improved and novel case construction' which permits ready and ea'sy stacking? ot the cases? in such a manner that substantially all' of the vertical support for the cases stacked' on eacl other', isfprovided by the upright case'wall and in such'a manner that the cases will remain in vertical alignment, but may be easilyv slid oil the top of the stack, when the contents of a case is to be removed.

These and other objects" and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from' the following description made i'nconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation view of one end of the case with portions being broken away and showing the case supported on a il'oor surface and also showing a portion of a second similar case stacked on' the' lirstlca'se;

Fig. 2 is a; detail perspective view' of alower corner portion of the case as viewed from below the case;

Fig". 3f is a bottom plan view of the case bottom before the same isy assembled with the sidewall structure;-

2,904,21 l Patented Sept. 15; 12959 lCC Fig. 4` is a plan view, `at a` reduced scale,.of the stacking ring which isvr also part of the bottom structure and which is prior to assembly with the case bottom andthe sidewallV structure, and

Fig. 5 isa detailsection view of a portion ofthe case and taken o n al substantially horizontalI plane-as indicated at 5--5 in Fig. l.

One form of the present invention is shown in the-accompanying drawings and is described herein. The ar.- ticle carrying case is of wirelwork` construction and includes an upright and enclosing multi-sided wall structure indicated in genral by numeral 10 whichvhas vertically/.aligned Iupper and lower peripheral edge portions and which defines agenerally rectangular` case interior. It should be noted that the case shown in the drawings is substantially square as is particularly brought-out in Figs. 3 and 4, but for descriptive purposes, reference is made herein to side portions and end portions of the various portions of the wall' structure 10 and of the bottom structure. The bottom structure is indicatedy in general. by numeral 11 and includes fthe article-supporting case bottom IZ and the stacking ring 13.

In Fig, l the lower case 921 isrsupporte'd on the'loor surface S and the upper case 9b is supported on the lower case 9a and is turned in the opposite direction in relation t`o case 9h or, in other words, the case 9b`is turned approximately degrees with respect to case 9.a. Because the cases are substantially symmetrical, they will intert with Veach other and maintain-themselves in vertical alignment irregardless of rtheir orientation.

The oase sidewall 10` includes upper and lower rigid frame rods I4 and 15 respectively which define the upper and lower vertically aligned peripheral edge portionsof the wall structure. The frame rods 14 and 1'5 are generally rectangular in configuration and halve opposite end portions 14a and 15a' and also' have' opposite side portions 14b` and 15b.

The' sidewall structure 10` also includes a plurality of upright frame wires 16 eacli ofwhich is bent back up'on itself at the upper edge of the sidewall: 1 0l to denne a pair' of lupright wire elements 16a". The lower ends of upright frame wires'16 are' aflixed as by welding I7 to the inner side of the lower frame rods 15 and the upper ends of the frame lwire'sare fixedV as by welding to the bottom side of the upper frame' rod 14' so as to lie substantially in a vertical plane therewith It' should be particularly noted that certain of the upright frame Wires at the corners of the wall structure are closely spaced in' relatiori'rtoj each' otheriso as to adequately protect the articles carried in the' case from being' damaged at the corners whichk are relatively vulnerable' in m'ost' cases".

The' wall structure' 10 also includes a pair of 'intermediate frame rods 18 encompassing the upright frame wires 16 and aflixed thereto as by welding 17a.

' 'lihe' sid'e and end portions 14a and 14h ofthe upper frame rod'v 14 and the side and end portions 15a andi' Sb of the lower frame' rod 15 are all deformedv upwardly at 154C and 15C respectively adjacent the corners ofthe wallstrlcture to define cooperatively interttable rn'ale and female nesting deformities 14d and 15d respectively. The'A maledeformities 14d in the upper frame rod 14 consist in upwardly directed projections at theV corners of the wall structure andi in the plane thereof. The deformities 15d the-lower frame rod 15 comprise downwardly opening recesses.- The miele-'supporting case bottom 12" of' the bottom structure 11 is fabricated separately from the ring 13 and from the wall structure and is subsequently assembled therewith. The case bottom 12 includes a plurality of juxtaposed support rods 18 and 19. The rods 18 are substantially linear and comprise the intermediate supports for the substantially rigid and elongated articlecarrying support elements which in the form shown consist in slats or flattened wires and which overlie an-d eX- tend transversely of the support rods 18 and 19 and are aixed thereto as by welds 21. The outer support rods 19 have horizontally and transversely extending crimps 22 formed therein for purposes hereinafter fully described. The ends 23 of the support rods 19 are offset horizontally inwardly of the case bottom 12 toward the intermediate support rods 18 and are oiset a distance slightly greater than the length of the deformity d in the end portions 15a of the four frame rods 15. The support rods 19 are also deformed horizontally inwardly of the case bottom 12 at a position indicated by the numeral 24, and the offset at 24 is slightly greater than the thickness of the upright frame wire 16, as is clearly seen in Fig. 5. The outermost support elements a overlie the offset immediately adjacent the outer end portion 23 and are welded to the outer support rods 19 at 21a immediately adjacent the offset end portion 23.

The stacking ring 13 is constructed of rigid rod formed into a rectangle slightly smaller than the wall structure 10 and substantially similar in conliguration and size to the general rectangular shape of the case bottom 12. The relationship of the ring 13 to the case bottom 12 is brought out in Fig. 4 by the support rods 18 and 19 which are superimposed thereon in dotted lines. The rod from which the ring 13 is formed is welded at its opposite ends as at 13a.

In the construction of the case, the article-supporting case bottom 12 is inserted through the open top of the sidewall structure 10 and the ends of the support rods 18 and 19 are placed in overlying relation with the end portions 15a of the bottom frame rod 15. The ends 23 of the support rods 19 assume a position inwardly from the corner of the wall structure and inwardly from the point of deformation 15C. The ends of the support rods 18 and 19 are axed to the end portions 15a of the lower frame rod 15 as by welds 25. The outer support rods 19 extend along the side portions 15b of the lower frame rod 15 and on the inner side of the upright frame wires 16. The support rods 19 are of course disposed slightly 'above the bottom -frame rod 15 but are rigid therewith, being welded to the sidewall structure and specifically to the upright frame wires 16 as at 26. It will be noted that when the case bottom 12 is assembled, the offset at 24 provides sulicient clearance between the outer support rods 19 and the upright frame wires 16 that there is no interference therebetween. The outermost support elements 20a extend in close proximity with the end portions 15a of the bottom frame rod 15. The articles carried in the case will thereby be supported at positions closely adjacent the wall structure 10. The ends of the outermost support elements 20a extend slightly beyond the outer support rods 19 so as to give support for the articles immediately adjacent the corner of the wall structure.

After the case bottom 12 has been assembled with the wall structure 10, the stacking ring 13 is applied in underlying relation on the case bottom 12. The stacking ring 13 lies substantially in the plane of the bottom frame ring 15 and is secured in position by welding as at 27 at the points of intersection with the ends of the support rods 19 and 18, and is also welded to the outer support rods 19 as at 28 in the crimps 22 thereof. The stacking ring 13 must be quite precisely positioned in relation to the bottom frame rod 15 of the wall structure 10. And because of the crimps 22, the position of the stacking ring 13 may be varied slightly in relation to the outer support rods 19 to allow for manufacturingtolerances.

The corner portions 13b of the stacking ring 13 provide transversely outwardly facing abutments which extend along the deformities or recesses 15d inthe bottom frame ring for engagement with the upwardly projecting deformities 14d in the upper frame ring 14 of the case therebelow.

It is to be particularly noted that because the ring lies substantially in the plane of the bottom frame rod 15 it does not carry any substantial portion of the vertical load either when the case is disposed intermediate of other cases in a stack or is disposed at the bottom of the stack. The entire weight of the case itself and of other cases stacked thereon is carried in the sidewall structure and particularly at the bottom frame ring 15. The corner portions 13a of the frame ring 13 project into the corners of the sidewall structure to engage the door and thereby supplement the bottom frame rod and prevent possible tipping of the cases over the corner thereof.

When the cases are used, the iirst case in the stack will be applied onto the floor F and then subsequent cases are stacked onto the first case. When a case is to be removed from the top of the stack, such as case 9b, the left hand side of the case may be tilted up, thereby permitting the left hand portion of the stacking ring 13 to pass over the projection 14b of the case 9a. When this is accomplished, the end portion 15a of the bottom frame ring 15 of the top case 9b will slide olf the upper frame rod 14 of the lower case 9a and the right hand portion of the stacking ring 13 will engage the inner side of the frame ring 14 of case 9a and be guided therealong without interfering with any of the upright wires 16. It will therefore be seen that as the case 9b is drawn olf the case 9a, the bottom portion of the case 9b will be guided by the corner portions of the stacking ring 13 and the right hand portion of the case 9b will be precluded from slipping down into the interior of the case 9a and of course damage to the contents of the case 9a is thereby precluded.

The ease in manufacturing the case is emphasized because of the multi-component construction wherein the case sidewall 10 is initially formed and the case bottom 12 is subsequently individually formed and then assem bled with the case sidewall structure. The stacking ring 13 is then applied after the case bottom 12 has been assembled. The article-carrying case may thus be quickly and easily formed by producing only a relatively few spot welds at the places indicated.

It will be seen that I have provided a new and improved article-carrying case construction which may be readily and easily manufactured and which will protect the articles carried therein at all portions of the case and particularly at the lower corners and edges of the bottom structure.

It should further be noted that I have provided a novel and improved article-carrying case which will be supported on the floor or on other similar cases in sub stantially identical manners, causing the entire load of the case and cases stacked thereabove to be transmitted through the sidewall structure and the cases will maintain themselves in vertical alignment and be guided when being removed from the top of the stack so as to prevent any portion of one case from falling into a case therebelow and thereby preventing damage to the articles carried in the case.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A rectangular open-topped article-carrying case for storage with other similar cases in a stack, comprising a generally rectangular bottom structure, an upright and enclosing, multi-sided wirework wall structure encompassing the bottom structure and having vertically aligned upper and lower frame rings, said upper and lower frame rings having, respectively, male and female nesting de-r gena-2n formities'cooperatively interfttable with the next adjacent case in suchv a stack and disposed in ythe planes of the sides of the wall structure, the nesting deformities being located at the corners of the wall structure and said deformities extending around the corners, and said bottom structure being secured to the lower frame ring and defining abutment portions disposed inwardly of the wall structure at the corners thereof and inwardly of the female deformities to abut transversely of the wall structure against the male deformities of the next adjacent case therebelow, whereby when the top case of the stack is tilted up and slid olf, the abutment portions guide along the upper frame ring of the next adjacent case therebelow.

2. A rectangular open-topped article-carrying case for storage with other similar cases in a stack, comprising a generally rectangular bottom structure, an upright and enclosing, multi-sided wirework wall structure encompassing the bottom structure and afhxed thereto, said wall structure having vertically aligned upper and lower peripheral edge portions, said upper edge portion having a plurality of upward projections in the planes of the sides of the wall structures at the corners thereof, said projections extending around the corners, said lower edge portion having downwardly opening recesses at the corners and cooperatively formed in relation to the projections in the upper edge portion to receive and intert with such projections of the next adjacent case therebelow, the bottom structure including a generally rectangular stacking ring disposed inwardly of the wall structure and having at least the corner portions thereof lying substantially in the plane of the lower edge portion of the wall structure whereby to provide abutments for engaging the upward projections of the next adjacent case therebelow fitted into the recesses of the lower edge portion to maintain the stacked cases in vertical alignment, and whereby when the top case in the stack is tilted and slid off the stack, the abutments will engage and slide along the upper edge portion of the next adjacent case therebelow to maintain the top case in alignment with the stack while sliding off to thereby prevent damaging of the articles contained in the next adjacent case therebelow.

3. An open-topped article-carrying case, comprising an upright, enclosing multi-sided wall structure defining a generally rectangular case interior and including a generally rectangular bottom frame rod extending around the wall structure and having side and end portions, the wall structure also including a plurality of upright frame wires aiiixed to said bottom frame rod and being closely spaced at the corners of the wall structure, a bottom structure including a plurality of juxtaposed support rods, the outer pair of said support rods extending along opposite side portions of said bottom frame rod on the inner side of the wall structure and being afiixed thereto, the ends of said support rods overlying and being aflixed to the opposite end portions of said bottom frame rod, the ends of said outer support rods being offset adjacent the corners of the wall structure in a direction away from the side portions of the bottom frame rod and along the end portions of the bottom frame rod, whereby to avoid the closely spaced upright frame wires of the wall structure, and a plurality of elongated and substantially rigid support elements overlying and aiiixed to the support rods and extending transversely thereof, the outermost support elements extending along the end portion of said bottom frame rod in closely spaced relation with the wall structure, and the ends of said outermost support elements overlying and being affixed to the offset end portions of the outer support rods, whereby the articles carried in the case are supported and protected even in close proximity with the sidewall structure.

4. A wirework article-carrying case, comprising an upright and enclosing, multi-sided Wall structure defining a generally rectangblar case interior and having generally rectangular upper and lower frame rods denigtlie upper lower peripheral edges of the wall structure, said upper and lower frame rods having opposite side and end portions deformed upwardly adjacent' the corners of the wall structure to' define upward corner projections in the upper periphery of the wall structure and to define recesses in the lower periphery of the wall structure at the corners thereof to receive' the projections of the next adjacent case therebe'low, la case bottom including a plurality of' juxtaposed support rods and also including a plurality of elongated and substantially rigid support elements overlying and being atiixed to said support rods and extending transversely thereof, the support elements being slightly shorter than one dimension of the case interior and the support rods being slightly greater in length than the other dimension of the case interior and the ends of said support rods overlying and being affixed to the bottom frame rod of the wall structure, the outermost support rods extending along opposite sides of the wall structure and in close proximity therewith and having substantially horizontally formed crimps therein, and a generally rectangular stacking ring disposed inwardly of the Wall structure and in underlying relation with the case bottom, said stacking ring being 'welded to the outermost support rod at said crimps and also being secured to the support rods at the opposite ends thereof, whereby to securely attach the stacking ring in precise relationship with respect to the wall structure and without regard to the precise position of Ithe outermost support rods.

5. An article-carrying case comprising an upright, enclosing, multi-sided wall structure defining a generally rectangular case interior and including generally rectangular top and bottom frame rods extending around -the wall structure and having side and end portions, said wall structure also including a plurality of upright frame wires, the frame wires being closely spaced at the corners of the wall structure, the side and end portions of the top and bottom frame rods being deformed upwardly adjacent the corners of the wall structure and through a distance greater than the thicknesses of the rods to define upright nesting deformities extending around the corners, a bottom structure comprising a plurality of juxtaposed support rods having opposite end portions affixed to the opposite end portions of the bottom frame rod, the two outer support rods extending along the opposite side portions of the bottom frame rod and being fixed to -the inner side of the wall structure, the ends of said outer support rods being offset adjacent the corners of the wall structure in a horizontal direction away from the side portions of the bottom frame rod to a position inwardly of the deformities in the end portions of the bottom frame rod, and a plurality of elongate and substantially rigid support elements overlying and being alixed to said support rods and extending transversely thereof, the outermost support elements extending along the end portions of the bottom frame rod in close proximity with the wall structure and the ends of the outermost support elements overlying the offset portions of the outer support rods, whereby the cases stacked one upon the other will be maintained in vertical alignment and the articles carried in each case are supported by said support elements even at positions at close proximity with the deformed corner portions of the bottom frame rod.

6. A generally rectangular, open-topped, article-carrying case for storage with other similar cases in a stack, comprising an upright and enclosing multi-sided Wirework wall structure including vertically aligned upper and lower frame rings having side and end portions, said upper and lower frame rings being deformed upwardly along the side and end portions at the corners of the wall structure to define male and female nesting deformities extending around the corners of the wall structure at the top and bottom thereof, the nesting deformities of adjacent cases in the stack being cooperatively interttable, a bottom structure supporting articles in the case and including a plurality of juxtaposed support rods, the outer pair of said support rods extending along opposite side portions of said bottom frame ring on the inner side of the Wall structure and being axed thereto, the ends of said support rods being aixed to the opposite end portions of the bottom frame ring, the ends of said outer support rods being bent at the corners of the wall structure to extend along the end portions of the bottom female deformities for confronting the interiittedmale deformities of the next adjacent case therebelow 1n the stack.

References Cited in the le of this patent frame ring and to extend along the inner sides of the 10 Y 2,512,517

UNITED STATES PATENTS Pawsot Feb. 19, 1935 Snyder Jan. 14, 1941 Smith et al. Jan. 4, 1949 Bruce June 20, 1950 

